U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a July 13 event in Washington. (AFP PHOTO/MANDEL)

WASHINGTON — During Joe Biden’s planned trip to Denver on Tuesday, the vice president plans to highlight the importance of community colleges and their impact on the broader U.S. economy.

Here’s the full rundown from the administration, released Monday afternoon.

“On Tuesday, July 21st, the Vice President will travel to Denver, Colorado to deliver remarks on the Administration’s economic policies, and participate in a roundtable discussion at the Community College of Denver’s New Manufacturing Center.

“This roundtable will focus on the importance of helping more Americans go to college and the critical role that partnerships between community colleges and employers can play in helping Americans obtain the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.”

The life of Ellis McFadden, a tireless volunteer and crusader for social justice, was recognized Sunday with a memorial service at Project Angel Heart. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

Sen. Pat Steadman of Denver and Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp of Arvada praised Ellis McFadden Sunday during a memorial for the Denver man, who knocked on thousands of doors on behalf of Democratic candidates. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

Republican presidential hopeful businessman Donald Trump fields questions at The Family Leadership Summit at Stephens Auditorium on July 18, 2015 in Ames, Iowa. According to the organizers the purpose of The Family Leadership Summit is to inspire, motivate, and educate conservatives. (Scott Olson, Getty Images)

Returning Denver City Councilman Albus Brooks danced on the stage as Dres from Black Sheep performed during his inauguration party on July 17 at Tracks. (Jon Murray, The Denver Post)

Albus Brooks didn’t wait until Monday’s swearing-in ceremony to begin celebrating the start of his second term on the Denver City Council, instead inviting supporters to a Friday night hip-hop party at the Tracks dance club.

Organized as a fundraiser for nonprofits working in northeast Denver, the event included performances by some big throwback names. Melle Mel and Scorpio from Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five were there. During a set by Dres from Black Sheep, Brooks danced out on stage.

“The number one rule of being a politician is to know how to throw a good party,” Mayor Michael Hancock said before introducing Brooks.

Friday’s party, underwritten by sponsors, drew community supporters as well as a number of lobbyists and political consultant types. The fundraising total wasn’t yet available, but Brooks said the admission paid by attendees would benefit groups working to improve the community, including stemming recent gang violence in northeast Denver. Among beneficiaries are Engage Denver, Lincoln Hills Cares and Young Life of Central Denver, for which Brooks once worked.

“This is a party with a purpose,” Brooks told the crowd. “Every cent that you spent on this party is going to some incredible organizations.”

Every now and then when someone visits the newsroom they’ll stop at my desk, looked at my picture of an adorable little girl with the bluest eyes and ask, “If she yours?” And I say, “No, she’s Jon Caldara’s daughter.”

One day that visitor turned out to be Caldara, who was stunned that I still displayed Parker’s picture. In 2001, just days before her 1st birthday, Parker died of a rare form of cancer. She had never even been sick.

Caldara’s the political court jester who oversees the Independence Institute, a right-leaning free market think tank based in Denver.

The other day Caldara held off on his infamous one-liners in a fundraising letter that was a sock to the gut:

If we could be jailed for our thoughts, I should have a life sentence. It was a short, sad, news item that came over the radio some 13 years ago. I remember it perfectly to this day. It delighted me then. It shames me now. Along I-70 in the mountains a boulder came loose, fell from a cliff, and struck the passenger side of a pickup truck. The father driving the truck was uninjured. His young son was killed.

When I heard the news report my mind, on even a chemical level, released a one-word, satisfied response — “Good.” It gave me immense pleasure.

UPDATE (9:35 a.m. July 17):I’ve confirmed that Albus Brooks has conceded to Paul Lopez for the council’s No. 2 position, president pro tem. Lopez secured support from six other incoming members, giving him the seven votes needed. Nothing new to report in the contest for president.

Four days before the incoming Denver City Council selects its leaders for the next year, council sources said both top positions remained undecided Thursday.

Council President Chris Herndon is seeking a repeat term. At-large member Debbie Ortega is challenging him. But with seven new members joining the 13-member council Monday, lining up votes has been more difficult than usual.

Denver City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega. (Campaign photo)

“I think not everybody has fully determined exactly where they’re going to land,” Ortega said. “Monday night, we’ll just have to wait and see where people are going to end up on their votes.”

Also unsettled is who will serve in the No. 2 position, president pro tem, for the next year. Earlier Thursday, councilmen Paul Lopez (west District 3) and Albus Brooks (downtown/north District 9) each appeared to lack the seven votes needed, with one or two newly elected members still unpledged.

Either contest could be resolved in coming days as behind-the-scenes lobbying continues — or, as Ortega suggested, it might happen on the floor at Monday’s 5:30 p.m. meeting.

Wayne Williams, then the El Paso County clerk and recorder, and Denver Post reporter Lynn Bartels at the state Capitol in 2013. (File photo)

My colleague Lynn Bartels is leaving the newspaper industry just shy of 35 years in the business.

With the Denver Post offering buyouts to senior staff, Lynn took the offer and next month she’ll join Secretary of State Wayne Williams’s staff as communications director.

“I’m really excited to have a journalist of Lynn’s caliber on my staff,” Williams said in a ph one conversation. “With her reputation for integrity and hard work, we’re all excited for her to join the Secretary of State’s Office.”

Reps. Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican, and Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat, pose with Max Schill, 6, at a news conference last Friday following passage of their 21st Century Cures Act by a 344-77 vote. (Provided by DeGette’s office)

These are heady days for Colorado Congresswoman Diana DeGette, who is being universally praised for her hard work and willingness to put partisanship aside to work on legislation overhauling the way medical research is done nationally.

The House last Friday passed 21st Century Cures Act sponsored by DeGette, a Denver Democrat, and Rep. Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican and chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee.

“The two lawmakers have spent the last 18 months — sometimes with a spouse or dog in tow — sitting together through hundreds of hours of meetings with doctors, health advocates and policy experts,” said The New York Times.

Reggie Bicha, executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services during an interview in May. (Photo By Craig F. Walker / The Denver Post)

The news was what legislators wanted to hear Tuesday: The Colorado Department of Human Services has acted aggressively on the findings of three state audits last year that blasted the holes in the agency’s care for neglected, abused and incarcerated children.

Reggie Bicha, DHS’s executive director, reported to the Legislative Audit Committee that nearly all of the recommendations had been implemented — and steps taken beyond that — except for those that are in the process of being fixed.

“There’s nothing more important that we do in state government than making sure kids are safe when their families aren’t able or aren’t willing to do so,” Bicha said after his report to the committee. “So it’s been an utmost priority for us to work quickly and thoroughly to get these audit findings in place.”

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.